Options for Replacing Missing Teeth: Do I Have to Get Dental Implants?

If you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth, you may wonder what your options for replacing missing teeth are. Fortunately, there are several replacement options. Dental implants are not the only option for replacing missing teeth. Continue reading to learn about the treatments available, along with the pros and cons of each treatment method. Consult your dentist to determine the best option for you.

Pros and cons of dental implants

One of the options for replacing missing teeth is dental implants. The process of having dental implants installed begins with the insertion of a screw into the jawbone. The process is then paused for a few months to give your body time to heal and for the screw to be fully embedded into your jawbone. After that, the crown is installed, and then the process is complete. One of the pros of dental implants is that they look and feel like natural teeth. They are also effective and reliable, lasting for a long time with the proper maintenance. Another benefit of dental implants is that they are a permanent solution to replacing missing teeth, and they do not require any follow-up dental care. However, dental implants may be more expensive than other replacement options. The process of placing screws into the jawbone is invasive and can lead to infection. Another possible disadvantage of having dental implants is that they require a lengthy healing time.

Other options

Luckily, there are other solutions for replacing missing teeth for those who cannot afford dental implants or do not want a long healing process or risk of infection.

Removable partial dentures

Removable partial dentures are another option for replacing missing teeth that is less expensive than dental implants. This procedure involves the insertion of metal clasps to hold the dentures in place and is a far less complicated process than getting dental implants. One pro of having removable partial dentures is that more teeth can be added onto the dentures later if you lose more teeth later. Another pro is that removable partial dentures are much cheaper to get than dental implants. The third benefit of removable partial dentures is that they are easy to repair and replace if something goes wrong. Another benefit of this solution is that removable partial dentures are simpler to put in than dental implants. However, they can be uncomfortable and may feel awkward. Another con is that partial dentures do not blend in with your natural teeth because of the visible metal clasps. The third potential drawback of removable partial dentures is that you must remove your dentures to clean them each day. Patients cannot sleep with removable partial dentures in their mouths.